Al-Qaeda fighters seize Mali military depot

2012-05-28 Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) seized a large weapons and ammunition depot in Gao, Malian security sources reported on Sunday (May 27th).

The underground storage facility, said to be one of the main depots of the Malian army, was built to withstand "the prospect of a long and difficult war", a security official told AFP.

A regional security source confirmed the seizure, which occurred last week but was only acknowledged at the week-end, saying that the vast cache of weapons would "boost AQIM's striking power".

On Saturday, AQIM-backed Islamist group Ansar al-Din (Defenders of the Faith) and the secular Touareg separatist group MNLA said they had joined forces to rule northern Mali as an independent Islamic state.

Since the March 22nd coup, regional and Western leaders have feared that a breakaway state in Mali's remote desert north could become al-Qaeda's main safe haven.

Algeria, EU hold security talks

2012-05-28 Algerian Maghreb and African Affairs Minister Abdelkader Messahel and a European Union delegation met in Algiers on Sunday (May 27th) to discuss shared security concerns, APS reported.

The meeting, which came as part of regular consultations between Algeria and the EU, focused on "the necessity of completing the constitutional process in Mali", a foreign ministry statement said.

Messahel stressed that the Algeria's approach to the Mali crisis focuses on finding a political solution that preserves "the territorial integrity of the country", a foreign ministry statement said.

The EU diplomats and Messahel also discussed ways to strengthen co-operation between Sahel countries and their international partners in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and illegal trafficking.

Tunisia fires judges for alleged corruption

2012-05-28 The Tunisian justice ministry sacked 81 magistrates for alleged graft and links to ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The judges allegedly "handed down rulings in violation of the law, to protect personal interests", Justice Minister Nourredine Bhiri told Tunisian daily Alchourouk on Sunday (May 27th).

"It has become imperative to end this situation, which taints the honour, dignity and integrity of the judiciary," the ministry announced Saturday, without identifying the ousted magistrates.

Casablanca protest draws thousands

2012-05-28 Casablanca on Sunday (May 27th) saw the largest opposition protest since the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (PJD) won the Moroccan parliamentary elections last November, Al Jazeera reported.

"There are more than 50,000 people who are demonstrating to call on the government to start a genuine dialogue addressing our country's social ills," opposition Socialist MP Hassan Tariq told AFP about the protest called by trade unions.

"The message to the [Abdelilah] Benkirane government is clear: he needs to change his strategy," he said.

The youth-led February 20 Movement (M20F) also turned out for the demonstration.

Dubai to host Libya reconstruction summit

2012-05-28 An international forum aimed at assisting Libya's reconstruction will be held at the end of June in Dubai, Emirati daily The National reported on Sunday (May 27th).

More than 150 business leaders and government officials from Gulf States, Europe, North America and Africa will attend the two-day "Rebuild Libya" event.

WAC punch CAF Cup ticket

2012-05-28 Wydad Casablanca beat hosts IZK 1-0 on Sunday (May 27th) to finish the Botola Pro Elite season in third place and secure their slot in the next CAF Cup, MAP reported.

City rivals Raja defeated guests KAC 5-2 to end the season with the same 51 points as WAC, but in 4th place. FUS Rabat and Moghreb Tétouan vie for the Botola Pro Elite title on Monday.

Algeria win restores fan, player confidence

2012-05-28 Algeria fans are smiling again after a long, lean spell ended Saturday (May 26th) in Blida with a 3-0 friendly win over guests Niger.

Several key players were missing from the Blida match, so the achievement was all the more commendable. Hopes are now high that the team's renewed confidence in attack will continue into the coming matches.

Coach Vahid Halilhodzic saluted his squad: "The players rose to the challenge…despite all the setbacks during their preparations, which were dogged by injuries."

"It was a good test for us," team captain Medhi Lacen said. "It showed that our morale is high in the run-up to the game against Rwanda. We've got three tough games ahead of us in June," he said.

The game is part of Algeria's preparations for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda on June 2nd in Blida and Mali on June 9th in Bamako. The squad will also host a 2013 CAN qualifier against Gambia on June 15th.

Tunisia female handball side beat Dominican Republic

2012-05-28 The Tunisian handball women's team beat the Dominican Republic 29-20 Saturday (May 26th) in Denmark, but failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, TAP reported.

The international Aalborg tournament was the last Olympic qualifying event. Tunisia ranked third behind winners Russia and hosts Denmark, who booked tickets for London.